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Your Gateway to Music and More from a Christian Perspective Slow down as you approach the gate, and have your change ready.... |
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Since 1996 |
Your Gateway to Music and More from a Christian Perspective Slow down as you approach the gate, and have your change ready.... |
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A Book Review You Can Sing Too/ The Stories of F.W. Boreham Reviewed by psychologist, Dr. Bruce L. Thiessen, aka Dr BLT Mr. Boreham... Please tell me a Story (A
Tribute to F.W. Boreham)
I. All the Blessings of Life: The Best Stories of F.W. Boreham Please tell me a storyOne of the marks of a great story is that it taps into those universal principles and archetypes that bring us all together as human beings embarked upon the same journey. F.W. Boreham's stories clearly do, even as they transport the reader to a place of tranquility and spiritual stillness. Another mark of a great story is that it inspires and motivates others, and it inspires other works of art and music. It is no secret that some of the most influential figures of our time and some of the greatest preachers and speakers of our time have been moved, inspired and influenced by Boreham's stories. Reading about the stories of Boreham, and reading some of his finest stories as they are presented in both All the Blessing so Life and in Second Thoughts, inspired me in the song-selection stage of the preparations for my forthcoming CD, Altar'd Hymns by bringing to mind a hymn I now wish to include---"I Love to Tell the Story." The song reminds me of Boreham's sense of marvel over the truths revealed in nature and in the ever-unfolding revelation of God's plan of salvation and redemption. Boreham's works further inspired me to pen "Please tell me a Story," the song as posted in the link above, in which I use many of his actual song titles to form the lyrical foundation. Eternal Laws are UnchangingGood stories entertain you. Great stories change you. And you cannot read the stories of F.W. Boreham without being changed in some way---always for the better. The stories point the reader to what is essential, and what is important in life, allowing one an opportunity to realign one's priorities accordingly. In "Face of God," he observes the manner in which two individuals----a small boy, and a rude, crude woman, observe a work of art exposed through the window of a picture-framer's shop. And, from their contrasting perceptions and perspectives (the boy's marked by innocent wonder, curiosity and awe, and the woman's, marked by cavalier dismissal), and from the experience of observing their interaction, he draws deep personal and spiritual insights into both the nature of human beings and the nature of God, who created them. Please tell me a story
Because he discovers sacred truths, like treasure, in the most simple and seemingly most mundane experiences and observances of life, and because he was driven to freely pass on these treasure to us, in the form of his stories, all who open themselves up to his insights can greatly benefit. II: Second Thoughts *Boreham's appreciation for those things other casually and/or grudgingly dismiss is eloquently captured in Second Thoughts, a small collection of Boreham's works revolving around a common theme---that of the second things in life--------Second-Hand Things, The Second Crop, Second Fiddles, and the like. Nobody like to be a second-rate... anything. Nobody likes to play second fiddle. Nobody likes to win second prize. Nobody likes to wear cloths that are second-hand. Perhaps I should replace all of those nobodies with few of us. Boreham is among the few that have truly understood the meaning of the scriptural phrase "...the first shall be last and the last shall be first." When a person allows him/herself to be humbled, and they wait upon the lord in a state of humility, they are ultimately and marvelously exalted. I find comfort in these treasures, as a struggling songwriter who identifies with the words of a Terry Jacks song that says, Rock and roll I give youSome would consider Terry Jacks a second-rate singer and a one-hit wonder. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and when the beholder is Boreham, second-rate singers and the second-class citizens start to shine----big time. Old sneakers become vintage tread and that old, musty suit in the closet becomes your favorite threads. So if you see your life as
half-empty, look again, a second time. Look at your life through
the eyes and through the stories of F.W. Boreham, and you will find your
enemies becoming your best friends. You will find your darkest moments
to be your brightest guiding lights. You will find a cacophony of
tragedy becoming a symphony of celebration. You will find your most
bitter defeats to become the sweetest victories you will ever meet.
You will find your deepest sorrows becoming wells over-flowing with unspeakable
joy.
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